Ohhhh, yeah... whatever else, employment of your sheer duration ought to be given every consideration, which it does sound like they're willing to step up to. Good to know you'll have that cushion.
And that long duration has a value as well, in and of itself, in several different ways, when you go to looking for something else.
1.) Almost nothing looks worse to an employer than a "job-hopper," not only because they don't wish to invest in a predictably short-term employee, but also because such hoppers tend to be chronic malcontents, abrasive to co-workers and bad for morale. Think Tien. Ick!
2.) How much more proof could anyone require that you're capable of stability, loyalty, dependability? It also demonstrates that you have deep ties to the community. All extremely positive traits that other companies are begging for!
3.) As to "why you left your previous employment," a question that absolutely will come up, again the length of time with that company is a reason itself: Burnout. Plain and simple, after 18 years, burnout. That neither puts the "fault" entirely on you nor entirely on the company; it's just something that can happen, and recognizing it really does end up being to everyone's advantage. The simple fact that they thought enough of your years of service to offer you a severance package (that is not the norm for your position, as you said) is a clear signal, too, that this long-term, loyal, stable employee was valued. That counts.
Just try to keep seeing this as a fresh start, a positive event. I'll be keeping you in my prayers, old friend.
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And that long duration has a value as well, in and of itself, in several different ways, when you go to looking for something else.
1.) Almost nothing looks worse to an employer than a "job-hopper," not only because they don't wish to invest in a predictably short-term employee, but also because such hoppers tend to be chronic malcontents, abrasive to co-workers and bad for morale. Think Tien. Ick!
2.) How much more proof could anyone require that you're capable of stability, loyalty, dependability? It also demonstrates that you have deep ties to the community. All extremely positive traits that other companies are begging for!
3.) As to "why you left your previous employment," a question that absolutely will come up, again the length of time with that company is a reason itself: Burnout. Plain and simple, after 18 years, burnout. That neither puts the "fault" entirely on you nor entirely on the company; it's just something that can happen, and recognizing it really does end up being to everyone's advantage. The simple fact that they thought enough of your years of service to offer you a severance package (that is not the norm for your position, as you said) is a clear signal, too, that this long-term, loyal, stable employee was valued. That counts.
Just try to keep seeing this as a fresh start, a positive event. I'll be keeping you in my prayers, old friend.
~ Kay